In place of its usual PIXI Awards program and event, Xerox is instituting the Best-of-the-Best Contest for its Premier Partners, and will produce the winning, real-world customer applications in its booth. This is part of its focus on helping customers drive profits, which includes offering free, 30-minute consulting sessions that attendees can sign up for in advance of the show. On the equipment front, the company will have the high-volume Concept Color 220 color press, iGen Automated Packaging Solution and ColorQube 9200 series of solid-ink color printers on display.

Konica Minolta is still finalizing plans for previewing a next-generation bizhub PRO color engine that will either be on public display in its booth or behind a curtain for restricted viewing. The platform is reportedly targeted to the mid-range printer market, “offers a different economic model” (high speed and quality at a new price point) and is set for release in the first half of 2010. The company will also highlight its bizhub PRO C5hc color printer with high-chroma toner, the now commercially launched bizhub PRO 950 color system and the new bizhub PRO 1200/1051 monochrome series.

New from MGI Digital Graphic Technology will by a Super format printing option—13×40.15˝ or up to 47˝ long with manual feeding of materials—for its now FOGRA-certified Meteor DP60 Pro digital color press. The machine handles up to 350 gsm paper and 16-mil plastic substrates, and outputs a maximum 65 ppm at 2,400 dpi.

The firm’s JETvarnish 20×29˝ ink-jet spot UV coating system will also have its first major showing and the Meteor DP20 photo press will be on display.

RISO introduced the third generation of its cut-sheet ink-jet printers for business documents, which features a much smaller footprint and enhancements to the Forcejet piezo ink-jet technology that are said to reduce clogging in lower-volume production environments. The new ComColor series is offered in five models with maximum rated speeds of 90 ppm to 150 ppm, and a top resolution of 300×600 dpi. An envelope feeder add-on (AR9000) is expected to be available by PRINT 09.